Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Pushka]

PCR tests are fairly cheap in Istanbul, around $35. I would rather be cleared to fly 3 days ahead or get the bad news with time to make arrangements ahead of time. Is SQ also allowing people to fly 7 days after a positive? I am trying to work out the worst case scenario I would have to deal with.

I will be triple vaxxed so I am sure I would be asymptomatic if anything at all. I am the sort who rarely gets sick.

Being triple vaxxed is no guarantee of being symptomatic based on current experiences. The only one who had minimal symptoms was the nvaxxed toddler. It's a weird virus.

 

[Scr77]

I just noticed the time interval between positive test to being able to fly home is also being reduced to 7 days. Fabulous.

I thought I read that Feds were working with Qantas to reduce the medical clearance from 7 days also. Can’t find article now.

 

[antycbr]

I thought I read that Feds were working with Qantas to reduce the medical clearance from 7 days also. Can’t find article now.

Good thing that it’s only 7 days. Imagine if the processing time was the same as a QF refund.

 

[dajop]

People are assuming quick turnarounds with PCR. If PCR is slow (say it takes 36-48 hrs) you may end up getting results at a similar time to rapid test.

The advantage that is has is that once test is done, it gives you an extra 48 hrs less exposure (in terms of catching the virus meaning you are prevented from travelling).

At the end of the day if you are not mentally or financially (or annual leave) equipped to being stuck somewhere for an extra week or two and can’t cope with last minute changes - best not to travel in the first place (especially to some countries). But certainly if you do travel, work out your plan B.

 

[hb13]

Hi All, just wondering if anyone has any experience flying from Europe to Australia with Qatar Airways? My trip begins in Rome, going to MEL, however, I have a long layover in Doha that is 21 hours.

I just want to make sure that if I get a test done within 24 hrs of my departure time from Rome, I will have no issues in Doha when I'm supposed to board my flight to MEL (when it will be much longer than 24 hours from the time I have tested).

 

[Pushka]

Hi All, just wondering if anyone has any experience flying from Europe to Australia with Qatar Airways? My trip begins in Rome, going to MEL, however, I have a long layover in Doha that is 21 hours.

I just want to make sure that if I get a test done within 24 hrs of my departure time from Rome, I will have no issues in Doha when I'm supposed to board my flight to MEL (when it will be much longer than 24 hours from the time I have tested).

@henrus just posted this - does it help?

Inbound international travel

Australia's border continues to reopen. Find out what you need to do to be able to travel to Australia.

www.health.gov.au

 

[hb13]

@henrus just posted this - does it help?

Inbound international travel

Australia's border continues to reopen. Find out what you need to do to be able to travel to Australia.

www.health.gov.au

That says "The RAT must be done within 24 hours of the flight’s scheduled departure time" - but some people may take "the flight" to mean the "last direct flight to Australia". I just want to make sure that is not the case.

 

[Port Power]

That says "The RAT must be done within 24 hours of the flight’s scheduled departure time" - but some people may take "the flight" to mean the "last direct flight to Australia". I just want to make sure that is not the case.

Is there a reason you don’t want to have a RAT on arrival in Doha? That would be the best option for the time frame.

 

[Pushka]

That says "The RAT must be done within 24 hours of the flight’s scheduled departure time" - but some people may take "the flight" to mean the "last direct flight to Australia". I just want to make sure that is not the case.

I expect but others with more knowledge will hopefully chime in, that all the checks will be done when your first flight departs.

 

[pippen_2k]

That's not really fair having people take a test half way through their journey.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I expect but others with more knowledge will hopefully chime in, that all the checks will be done when your first flight departs.

That is correct. When checking in at Rome will have to have PLF, immunization certificate and RAT or PCR for Australia

 

[henrus]

That says "The RAT must be done within 24 hours of the flight’s scheduled departure time" - but some people may take "the flight" to mean the "last direct flight to Australia". I just want to make sure that is not the case.

Timatic covers this, note it says "first embarkation point", as 21 hours is a transit you should be fine.



If you want to triple check, you could call Qatar airways or a European Qatar airways office and get confirmation from them.

 

[Pushka]

That's not really fair having people take a test half way through their journey.

And that's a fair point if you test positive in transit!

 

[hb13]

Is there a reason you don’t want to have a RAT on arrival in Doha? That would be the best option for the time frame.

The problem for me is that I'm based in the UK, which is on Qatar's red list at this stage. So this means I can't leave the airport in Doha, and I'm fairly certain there is no testing facilities air-side at DOH.

 

[Port Power]

The problem for me is that I'm based in the UK, which is on Qatar's red list at this stage. So this means I can't leave the airport in Doha, and I'm fairly certain there is no testing facilities air-side at DOH.

Fortunately more learned people have shown above that you only need the test before your first departure. But 21 hours in the airport terminal! Hope you find a nice bench to snooze on.

 

[hb13]

Timatic covers this, note it says "first embarkation point", as 21 hours is a transit you should be fine.

View attachment 269513

If you want to triple check, you could call Qatar airways or a European Qatar airways office and get confirmation from them.

Thanks for this. Also FYI, for anyone flying Qatar, I have tried to call and ask, spoke to 3 people who couldn't give me a straight answer. It seems like staff working the phone are useless at knowing this info, at least in my experience.

In any case, I have also checked the "Frequently Asked Questions" of the DOH website, and it does actually state this:

"The COVID-19 RAT must be done no more than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time of your flight (or first flight if you have one or more connecting flights booked for your travel to Australia)."

This can be found at this link:

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/01/coronavirus-covid-19-frequently-asked-questions-international-travellers_2.pdf

Post automatically merged: Jan 22, 2022

Fortunately more learned people have shown above that you only need the test before your first departure. But 21 hours in the airport terminal! Hope you find a nice bench to snooze on.

Thankfully there is an airport hotel there which is in the transit area! It's not ideal, but it'll have to do.

At least now I can rest not having to worry about testing. I will be saving offline copies of the Australian DOH info just in case QR staff aren't aware.

 

[hb13]

Also, something I have picked up for everyone is the slight change of rules for PCR testing timeframe. It is now any of the 3 days prior to the day of your flight.

From my understanding, this means you have longer than 72 hours for the pre-departure PCR, which adds some flexibility.

 

[justinbrett]

Also, something I have picked up for everyone is the slight change of rules for PCR testing timeframe. It is now any of the 3 days prior to the day of your flight.

From my understanding, this means you have longer than 72 hours for the pre-departure PCR, which adds some flexibility.

It’s been that for a while now.

 

[OATEK]

People are assuming quick turnarounds with PCR. If PCR is slow (say it takes 36-48 hrs) you may end up getting results at a similar time to rapid test.

The advantage that is has is that once test is done, it gives you an extra 48 hrs less exposure (in terms of catching the virus meaning you are prevented from travelling).

At the end of the day if you are not mentally or financially (or annual leave) equipped to being stuck somewhere for an extra week or two and can’t cope with last minute changes - best not to travel in the first place (especially to some countries). But certainly if you do travel, work out your plan B.

Yes, having a plan B is important. We have our daughter's house to crash in if we test positive before departing LHR. What will be trickier is getting a medical certificate that we are past our 7 days, and no longer symptomatic.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yes, having a plan B is important. We have our daughter's house to crash in if we test positive before departing LHR. What will be trickier is getting a medical certificate that we are past our 7 days, and no longer symptomatic.

See below post

Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

If it's any consolation, Americans are in the same boat, even more expensive! I believe nowhere it can be more expensive then in Schiphol airport Amsterdam. Cost me 249Euro for 90 min PCR! ☹️

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au